Sustainability as a standard for Carriers

To answer the question - why the leading Shipping companies re-structure their processes in order to become sustainable - one has to consider not only the social responsibility of the firm or the strive for cost efficiency of operations. It is the client who becomes the primary driver in the metamorphose.

The BMW Carbon Pact from Maersk Line on Vimeo.

Then answer the question: Why, on earth, BMW does it? :)

Ship Efficiency: The Insight Magazine - January Issue

Украина - сертификаты на отгружаемый груз ЖРК и железной руды

UK P&I в своём циркуляре № 896-06/13 (Carriage of Iron Concentrate and Iron Ore Fines Cargoes - Ukraine - International Group Circular) информирует о завышении показателя предельной влажности для транспортировки (Transportable Moisture Limit, TML) в сертификатах на груз, выдаваемыми украинскими лабораториями, в том числе и в сертификатах Грузового Бюро.

Железнорудная мелочь и ЖРК относятся к группе грузов А Международного кодекса по твёрдым навалочным грузам (International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code, IMSB). Их транспортировка возможна при соблюдения условия, когда влагосодержание груза меньше показателя предельной влажности для транспортировки (TML). Тем самым, завышая TML, грузоотправитель получает возможность отгрузить влажный груз в нарушение требований кодекса и подвергает опасности судно.

Более детально о требованиях к перевозке ЖРК и железнорудной мелочи можно прочесть в статье Cargo Liquefaction.

Offshore Quest - Maersk Quest For Oil

The maritime colossus Maersk Group, which incorporates such subsidiaries as Maersk Oil, Maersk Drilling, Maersk Line, APM Terminals, and many other business units, has offered a real-time strategy computer game.

In contrast with most other strategies it is not only the real-time but also the real-world entertainment, as you have to follow all the long process of oil exploration before you start pumping it out to earn your first petrodollars.

The game is available for Windows and MacOS X, free to download at QuaestForOil.com.

Sails of the 21st century

DigInfo reports on retractable sails project. This kind of fuel-economizer seems quite feasible both technically and economically.

So the chances that it be installed on a real ship are rather high despite the 2.5 mln USD fitting cost for a single retractable sail. There are many other technologies that would provide the comparable fuel-saving effect at less CAPEX. Still ...


I have no doubt that Japanese owners would consider trying the sails soon.

Loading iron ore at port of Buchanan and Monrovia (ArcelorMittal)

The P&I representatives from Eltvedt & O'Sullivan inspected ArcelorMittal's facilities in port of Buchanan and Monrovia, Liberia. The visit was made in order to find out reasons for the arising cargo moisture claims (report).

DNV foresight: Technology Outlook 2020

DNV’s Research and Innovation published their view on the likely technology trends for the 2012-2020 time span. They probe the future shipping world "... in four main areas: shipping, fossil energy, renewable and nuclear energy, and power systems."

Report starts with the statement that most populations are out of balance and reach 7.5 bln people by 2020 and continues musing mostly on energy and power improvements in shipping including shale gas and wind power, biofuels, CO2 capture, transmission grids, etc.

Technology Days Feb 2011

Technology Days is an official event in the shipping industry to promote the new technology trends among operators, owners, classification societies, manufacturers and researchers. There one would stake one's own grounds and declares the results obtained. Technology Days is more scientific event than a business one.

Though a bit delayed, 1,5 year later than the event itself, I offer my readers to have a look at the published papers of Technology Days of February 2011 hosted by Lloyds Register. This set and the previous papers are available at the LR site.

Журнал "Бизнес" - выпуск №1000 (мар 2012)